Grand Ronde Tribe urges governor to reconsider Willamette Falls funding request

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon is asking Gov. Tina Kotek to delay a funding request from Willamette Falls Trust for up to $75 million to purchase land in Oregon City, according to the Lincoln Chronicle. In a June 9 letter, Tribal Chair Cheryle Kennedy cited "serious concerns" about the proposal, including a lack of tribal consultation and the exclusion of Grand Ronde from the trust while including an out-of-state tribe, the Yakama Nation.

The Willamette Falls Trust seeks to buy 60 acres, including Moores Island and adjacent uplands, to create public spaces for cultural and educational events. The Grand Ronde tribe argued that its treaty rights and aboriginal lands make it the "tribe of record" for the area and urged further evaluation of the proposal. A spokeswoman for Kotek said the letter is under review.